North Korea Launches Short-Range Missiles as South Korea-US Joint Drills Continue
North Korea has conducted another round of weapons tests, firing two short-range ballistic missiles, according to South Korea’s military. This comes amidst joint amphibious landing exercises by Seoul and Washington, and shortly after they concluded their largest combined military drills in five years.
North Korea views these exercises as rehearsals for an invasion and has issued repeated warnings that it would take “overwhelming” action in response. The nation has been conducting a series of weapons tests in recent weeks, with this latest launch marking another escalation of tensions in the region.
“Our military detected two short-range ballistic missiles fired from around Junghwa area in North Hwanghae province from 07:47 am (2247 GMT) towards the East Sea,” South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, referring to the body of water also known as the Sea of Japan.
“Our military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance against additional launches, while maintaining a full readiness posture through close cooperation between South Korea and the United States,” it added.
The Japanese Defense Ministry has verified the missile launch by North Korea. According to Japanese officials cited by local media outlets, the two short-range ballistic missiles are thought to have followed an unconventional flight path before landing outside of Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
